Melkote

In And aboutMelukoteMelukote is recognised for various Hindu temples. CheluvanarayanaSwamy Temple, Yoga NarasimhaSwamy Temple, Raya Gopura, ISCKON Temple, Melukote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, Pushkarani and Thondanur Lake are some of the main tourist attractions in Melukote. The city of Mysore is about 100 km from Melukote.

Being a member of Karnataka, Melukote is nowhere stripped of cultural importance. Home to numerous old temples and religious sites, it is deemed one of the sacred places in Karnataka. Established in the Mandya district, Melukote has its records dating back to the 12th century, when Saint Ramanujacharya visited in this town for about 12 years. Following then, it has become an important religious site. Aloof from temples, Melukote also withholds numerous historic buildings and lush leafy surroundings. Being located at a distance of around 50 km from Mysuru, it is easily accessible.

CheluvanarayanaSwamy Temple is the original and first tourist pull in Melukote. Due to popularity amongst Hindu devotees all over the country, the temples witness thousands of tourists and Hindus every year. Devoted to Lord Cheluvanarayana, an embodiment of Lord Vishnu, this ancient temple is placed on Yadavagiri and Yadugiri Hill.

The kings of Mysuru kingdom have presented the temple with jewels, crowns and gems in large quantities. These valuable items are carried each year to the temple during the festivities of Vairamudi festival to enhance the images of Lord Cheluvanarayana and decorate the temple complex.

Adjoined by Melukote temples, Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary is covered over an area of about 50 square kilometres. It is recommended for the security of blackbuck and grey wolf, which are found in plenty inside the sanctuary. The landscape of this wildlife sanctuary is covered with rocks and deciduous trees. You can also see many species of interesting butterflies here.

Also identified as Kalyani Pond, this small yet beautiful pond is located around the temples giving the surroundings with a calm and relaxing atmosphere. You need to visit this wonderful pond if you would prefer to spend some time in the charming atmosphere of Melukote and listen to the devotional tunes emerging from the nearby temples.

Apart from the earlier places, Melukote has in reserve a lot to be traversed. You can also visit Raya Gopura, which is a reduced structure and is famous amongst history lovers and Vanaprastha Ashram, which is a teaching centre. Thondanur Lake is extra important traveller attraction in Melukote which is deemed a holy place amongst the Sri Vaishnava order of Brahmins.

VairamudiBrahmotsavam is the yearly festival commemorated in the bases of MelukoteCheluvanarayanaSwamy Temple. Thousands of believers join in this grand temple festival. A parade of CheluvanarayanaSwamy is one of the main events of this festival.

Melukote is around 150 km from Bangalore. By road, travellers have to choose Bangalore- Mysore State Highway to stretch Melukote. KSRTC buses are accessible from Bangalore to Melukote but they are not expected. So, it is more helpful to take buses to Mandya and then continue to Melukote from there. Melukote is 40 km from Mandya.